Telford leaders hopeful that new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will give more power over buses

Councillors in Telford are hoping that new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will give them more powers over the borough's buses.

Mr Burnham is set to take the reins at 10 Downing Street on Monday and could soon be receiving messages from leaders at Telford & Wrekin Council as he gets to grips with the top job.

Councillors are hopeful that Mr Burnham, an avowed fan of public transport in Manchester, will find his way to giving councils like Telford & Wrekin more powers over buses.

Council deputy leader Richard Overton praised a council report into local bus services at a meeting of the cabinet on Thursday (July 16). He said it "does not hold back on ambition”.

"I know we will do even more," said the Labour councillor for St Georges.

"I hope the new Prime Minister will give even more powers to do more."

Councillor Ollie Vickers, the council’s cabinet member for jobs, transport and digital connectivity, said: "We are going to have a PM on Monday who has a strong passion for buses.

"We are going from strength to strength."

Opposition councillors also welcomed investment in the public transport network.

Councillor Andrew Eade (Conservative, Church Aston and Lilleshall) said it is "good to see progress" four years after a consultant's report.

He welcomed £2 fares as "really good" and supported buses in rural areas.

But he warned of a "significant challenge" when developer contributions "run out”.

Councillor Eade added: "The bus service now is coming to fruition.

"It really is something that I do welcome."

Liberal Democrat leader Bill Tomlinson is "really pleased" to see an hourly bus service return to Shawbirch. He has campaigned for better buses for his ward for some time and thanked the administration for “listening”.

Shawbirch had a bus service every 90 minutes but that has returned to hourly, Councillor Tomlinson explained.

He added: "It means more people will come on board.

"I am really, really pleased about bringing it back to hourly and residents are over the moon."

The council's Labour cabinet agreed to take "necessary steps to continue to evolve the bus network in Telford and Wrekin”.

Councillor Vickers confirmed that the council is looking into expanding evening and night-time services as one of the next steps.

A law that banned local authorities from establishing their own bus companies changed in 2025 with the passing of the Bus Services Act.

The council's policy states that if required it will procure new bus services in accordance with the contract procedure rules and applicable procurement legislation.

A report to the cabinet said the authority has used resident feedback to bring about improvements including updating timetables and adding extra journeys.

"Since the latest changes were introduced last summer, passenger numbers have increased by more than 21 per cent, showing growing demand and continued confidence in the service from residents, workers and visitors," the report reads.

It added that more than 90 new and improved bus shelters have also been installed across the borough.